|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Moonwalker number inscriptions
|
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 08-27-2003 01:59 PM
   
Through many years of collecting astronaut autographs, I've seen a lot of various items signed by the 12 moonwalkers. But I've seen relatively few photos or covers signed by any of the moonwalkers (MWers) where they added what number MWer they were, such as "Apollo 16/ #10 moonwalker." If anything is added beyond a personalization, then it's usually a mission inscription, something like "Apollo 15 LMP," for example. I've been thinking of what a fantastic set of autographed portraits it would be to have with each MWer adding what number moonwalker they were. Of course, such a set is more a dream than anything, as Neil Armstrong possibly has never signed anything with "First on the moon," or "#1 moonwalker" added. So it should be possible to assemble a group of 11 signed portraits, or lunar surface photos, or flight covers, where each MWer signed & also added what number moonwalker they were, except Armstrong. But anything with "Apollo 11" added by Armstrong should be close enough. I have pursued this to some extent, as I have portraits from eight different MWers where they signed plus also added their MWer number. I failed to ask Charles Conrad to add what MWer he was to anything, but I did for 8 of the 12 MWers and below is what they added besides their signature: Alan Bean: "Apollo 12 LMP/ 4th moonwalker."
Alan Shepard: "Apollo XIV/ 5th on moon."
Ed Mitchell: Apollo 14 LMP/ 6th moonwalker."
Dave Scott: "Apollo 15 CDR/ 7th moonwalker."
Jim Irwin: "Apollo 15 LMP/ 8th moonwalker/ Hadley-Apennine."
Charlie Duke: "Apollo 16 LMP/ #10 moonwalker"
Gene Cernan: "Apollo XVII CDR/ 11th moonwalker"
Harrison Schmitt: "Apollo 17/ 12th moonwalker" I believe I've seen a few photos where Buzz Aldrin added "2nd on moon," but I've never seen anything signed by John Young where he added his MWer number, but I would think that some would exist. And also certainly the same for Charles Conrad. So, IMO, it should be possible to assemble a set of portraits, lunar surface photos, or flight covers signed by all 12 MWers with their MWer number inscribed, with the exception of Armstrong. Does anyone have items signed by Aldrin, Conrad or Young where they also added the moonwalker number they were? Bob McLeod [This message has been edited by Bob M (edited August 27, 2003).] |
Joe Davies
Member Posts: 258
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 08-27-2003 03:04 PM
Its a nice idea Bob and one thats gone through my mind many times when in a whimsical and wishful mood, but we are immediately scuppered by #1. And like any set, its only a set if you can get all of them. |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 08-27-2003 03:17 PM
Yep, Joe, just like the "almost set" of signed photos of each of the 12 moonwalkers by the US flag on the moon - all but Alan Bean is possible <sigh>. Bob Mc. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 08-27-2003 03:33 PM
Bob,Don't feel so bad. You got a great collection of autographs. I'd just love a Neil Armstrong sig I could trust. ------------------
Larry McGlynn
A Tribute to Apollo |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
|
posted 08-27-2003 03:39 PM
Nice thought as well. The one thing I'd like to see, and I've thought about maybe getting from one or two of my favorite current signers, is a "stat" photo or "stat" beta that goes through an astro's quantitative stats (Xth moonwalker, xxx miles flown in space, xxx missions, xxx eva's, AOH year, etc.). Reggie Jackson offers "stat" balls of baseball hall of famers on his website and I just think it is a very unique way to express in numbers a specific career. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2912
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
|
posted 08-29-2003 10:39 AM
Good topic, Bob, and I'll try to contact you offline soon and thanks for the current email. There is only one moonwalker in my collection (all categories) that has only signed without anysort of mission inscription, moonwalker No., etc. -- and that person is John Young! As for Armstrong, I have a couple signed pics where he added "Apollo 11" and a picture postcard signed by him, with "A-11," and signed by Aldrin as well. I have many from Aldrin; just to mention a few of my favorites -- "Apollo 11 LMP, First Men on the Moon, July 20-21, 1969," many with the standard "Apollo 11 LMP," and "Contact Light...OK, Engine Stop. Touchdown on the Moon! (Signed) Apollo XI LMP" on an actual Ap-11 Flight Plan page that pertains to first lunar surface contact, also "The Moon was a Magnificant Desolation (Signed) Apollo 11 LMP July 20, 1969" and another favorite of mine on a pic from inside Eagle's cockpit on the moon, "Apollo XI on the Moon...from the cockpit of Eagle/LM-5. My Moon Base for nearly 22 hrs. (Signed) Apollo XI LMP." Another favorite when Eagle lifted away from the Moon to join up with Collins in the command ship, "July 21, 1969 - Man's first liftoff from another world! (Signed) Apollo XI LMP." Also, "(Signed), GT-12 Pilot, Apollo 11 LMP, NASA Astronaut 1963-71." For Conrad, here a a few of my favorite "lines," Cdr. Apollo XII, 3rd on the Moon 14-24 November 1969," also ... "Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that's a long one for me! (Signed) Cdr. Apollo XII," and "(Signed), Gemini V & XI, Apollo XII, Skylab I, NASA Astronaut 1962-1974." For Bean there are many, but usually with inscriptions similar to: "Apollo 12 LMP, 4th Moonwalker, Nov. 19, 1969," and "Lunar Module Pilot - Apollo 12/LM-6," and so on. For America's first astronaut, here are a few from Shepard (both flights) that I hope you don't mind me sharing; "MR-3 Pilot/Freedom 7, 5/5/61" and the usual "Apollo 14 CDR," etc. but one of my all-time favorites is, "To Ken Havekotte - Thanks for your continued support. Attached "lunar surface safety line" was used on the Moon by Ed Mitchell and me on 2/5/71 (Signed) CDR. Apollo XIV" and signed by Mitchell as well. For Scott, there are a few, such as "7th Man on the Moon (Signed), Apollo 15" and "Apollo 15 CDR," etc. Irwin; "Apollo 15 LMP, 8th Moonwalker, 1st Moon Rider, The Chance of a lifetime!" with many crescent moon illustrations. Other Irwin favorites are "...July 30-2 Aug 1971 -- Here I am on the Moon's Hadley-Apennine site with your Moon cover stored inside LM-Falcon. Our stay was a record 67 hours! (Signed) Apollo 15." And yet another favorite that appears at the end of a long paragraph inscription, "(Signed), Apollo 15 Lunar Module Pilot, 8th Man to walk on the Moon and Navigator of the first powered vehicle (LRV-1) to be driven on the moon." There are many for Mitchell such as, "Apollo 14 LMP/6th Man to walk on the Moon," and "Frau Mauro Base, Feb. 5-6, 1971, 33+ hrs. (Signed), Apollo 14, LM-8, 6th Moonwalker." Far too many for Duke as well, but I'll try to mention a few favorites here; "(Signed full name), Apollo 16 Lunar Module Pilot, LRV-2 Navigator, 10th Moonwalker, NASA Astronaut 1966-76," and on a lunar surface pic depicting LM-Orion and LRV-2 together, "Our home in space on the Moon's surface for 3 days with our parked Lunar Roving Vehicle (Signed) Apollo 16 LMP April 20-23, 1972." and "Collecting lunar surface samples at Station No. 1 during first EVA. (Signed) Apollo 16 LMP, 10th Moonwalker, April 1972." with many more others that specifically relate to the photo depictions, etc. For Schmitt ... mostly the standard "Apollo 17 LMP/12th Moonwalker" and for last moonwalker Cernan, "From the last Man to have left his footprints on the surface of the Moon! (Signed) Apollo XVII." along with the standard "Apollo XVII Cdr.," etc. |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 08-29-2003 03:24 PM
Wow, Ken - thanks! Ken's many excellent examples show the many fantastic & varied inscriptions that some of the Apollo astronauts & moonwalkers would be most accomodating to add along with their signatures. Of course, not wanting to ask too much of any astronaut is important, but under the right circumstances, asking for bonus inscriptions such as Ken's examples can result in really extraordinary autographed items for one's collection. I've always tried to get an added inscription besides just a simple signature from an astronaut. Most collectors don't like personalizations, even to themselves, but mission inscriptions accompanying an autograph result in really special items, such as Ken has shown above (BTW, Ken has had the advantage of getting some of those wonderful & long inscriptions in person). I usually don't ask for anything further than, for example, "Apollo 16 LMP/ #10 moonwalker," especially back in the days when many astronauts signed for free, but I'm sure now some of the astronauts would be glad to add an inscription, like some of Ken's examples above, for a little extra added to their fee. IMO, it would certainly be well worth the extra amount to have something besides just a simple signature. Bob McLeod |
Keith Barber
Member Posts: 326
From: Warwickshire
Registered: Mar 2001
|
posted 08-31-2003 06:43 PM
Here is one from e.bay to seems OK
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1346&item=3624268784 | |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
 advertisement
|
